Compensator for automatic scales



Aug. 17, 1943. H. F. BRIGGS COMPENSATOR FOR AUTOMATIC SCALES Filed June-14, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ffawlandfifiz'zygs ATTQRNEY Aug? 7,1943. H. F. BRIGGS 2,327,093

QOMPENSATOR FOR AUTOMATIC SCALES .Filed June 14', 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR TORN Y Aug. 17, 1943. H. F. BRIGGS COMPENSATOR FOR AUTOMATICSCALES Filed June 14. 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTOR EY Aug. 17,1943. H. F. BRIGGS COMPENSATOR FOR AUTOMATIC SCALES Filed June 14. 19406 Sheets-Sheet 4 1%wzan R BY J 8 ATTO R N EY 1943- H. F. BRIGGS2,327,093

COMPENSATOR FOR AUTOMATIC SCALES ATTORNE Patented Aug. 17, 1943COMPENSATOR FOR AUTOMATIC SCALES Howland F. Briggs, Buffalo, N.

Y., assignor to Consolidated Packaging Machinery Corporation, Buffalo,N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 14, 1940, Serial No.340,457

13 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in scalecompensating devices and particularly seeks to provide novelcompensating means for use in conjunction with automatic weighing scalesand which can be adjusted from a position remote from the scale.

In the use of automatic scales in the weighing of grain or mixed feeds,much difficulty has been encountered in fluctuation of the final weightof the mass weighed due to the variable condition of the dribble streamafter final cut-off when materials of varying densities are Weighed.Therefore it is necessary to provide the scales with compensating meansby which the effect of density variations in the weighing of differentmaterials will not vary the final weight.

Two general classes of scale compensators, manual and automatic orself-acting, have been devised in an effort to solve this problem. Ofthese two general classes of compensators, the manual type isimpractical for use in conjunction with scale installations for theweighing of grain, since any adjustments to the compensator must be madeby climbing up onto the scale and then effecting the adjustment. Also,with this type of compensator each separate adjustment must be checkedby a series of test weighings in order to assure accuracy, therebycausing a material loss of time in the actual weighing operations of aproduction run.

The automatic or self-acting type of com pensator is also subject tocertain objections. The self-acting types are generally actuated partlyas the result of impact of the stream of falling material, and accuracythereof will be obviously affected by variations of the falling streamdue to changes in the densities of the materials being weighed. Theself-acting types are still part of the actual weighing mechanism andaccordingly must therefore be readjusted between changes from onematerial to another, particularly those which vary a great deal indensity.

Therefore an object of this invention is to provide a compensator foruse on automatic weighing scales which can be readily regulated tocompensate for variations in density in the weighing of differentmaterials. 7 Another object of the invention is to provide a device ofthe character stated in which the compensating adjustments are effectedby control devices located at a position convenient to the operator andremote from the scale.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterstated in which the control or adjusting means therefor is provided withsuitable indicia by which the proper adjustment for a particularmaterial being weighed may be determined or indicated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterstated which includes a chain having one end dependably fastened to thecounterweight of the scale and means connected to the other end of thechain for varying the effective weight of the depending portion of thechain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterstated in which the means for varying the effective weight of the chainincludes a housing into which one end of the chain is inserted, anddevices associated with the housing and connected to the chain end contained therein for changing the position of the chain end within thehousing to thereby vary the length and effective weight of chain withoutthe housing for compensating purposes. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterstated which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economicalto manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the nature of which will becomemore apparent, the invention will be more fully understood by referenceto the drawings, the accompanying detailed description, and the appendedclaims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of one type of scale with which acompensating device constructed in accordance with this invention may beemployed;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic front elevation of a combinedweighing, filling and closing machine of the type adapted for handlinggrain and to which compensating devices constructed in accordance withthe invention are applied;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, somewhat diagrammatic plan View of the machineillustrated in Fig. 3 and showing the relative arrangement of themultiple scales;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, of the compensatorassembly;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a detail front elevation of the actu ating handles andindicating dial;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 5, parts of theactuating handles being shown in section;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a modified form of chain actuator;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the actuator illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a somewhat diagrammatic view, partly in section, showing amodified form of actuating mechanism in which the chain is movedpositively through the medium of gear connections;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section talzen on'line il -E2 V of Fig 11;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of a multiple unit control panel which maybe used in conjunction with a machine of the type 'clisc-losed in Fig,

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken on line l4l4 of Fig. 13; a

Fig. 15 is a vertical section tether; on line 3-5- 15 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a somewhat diagrammatic front elevation of a chain andsprocket actuating means 7 which may be use in place of the gear trainillus tratedm Fig-1-1. V

The compensating device trimming the basis of the present invention. mayhe used in conjunction with automatic weighing scales somewhatdiagrammatically indcatedin Figs. 1 and .2 of the drawings, and of thegeneralv type fully described in United States Letters Patent N 0.855,578 issued to G. Hoepner June l, 1907, although itis of course to heunderstood that the compensator could be applied to other types ofautomatic scales equally as well. Automatic scales of this type includea main frame 5 supporting a supply hopper {gen-erall-y indicated at E.and'a discharge chutegenerally indicated at l. Aweigh bucket 3 isinterposed between the sup-ply hopper B and the--discharge chute and'isfnlcrumed as at 9 on one end of a main weigh beam is which is fulcrurnedon the frame at .H. The other end of the weigh beam carries the usualcounter-balancing weights generally indicated at E2. For the purposes offine adjustment when the scal'eis first;set up;

the weigh beam in may be provid'ed'with relatively small counterweightsl3 slidably mounted thereon.

In the operation of scales of this type the flow of material to beweighed into the weigh bucket is divided into three phases, namely, amain charge, a dribble stream and the stream. in air which remains afterfinelcu't off. By wayof example it maybe assumed that a scaleinstallation designed for use in weighing a number of materials ofvarying densities is initially adjusted to properly weigh the most denseof these materials. In making the adjustments as is well known to thoseskilled m'th'e art, a scale is setfor a preat the time of final cut-offof the dribble stream as it was with the more dense material, but theweight of the stream in the air will be less since the material beingweighed is less dense. Therefore, the complete charge including theweight of the stream in the air will be underweight. Thus it is apparentthat in order to use th scale for weighing operations on less densematerials than that for which the scak was initially set, it isnecessary to readjust the scale by adding to the counterweight on theweigh beam to effect an increase in the charge in the weigh bucket atthe time of final cut-oil so that the weight of the charge will begreater and the weight of the charge including a, stream in air will beat the proper value. in other words it is obvious that "by adding theproper amount of weight to the counterweight of an automatic scale ofthe'type indicated. In this device a cabl chain it has one end freelyand dependably attached to the lower end of the main counterweight, 2.The other end of the chain it is retained within a generally verticallydisposed housing i5 secured to the main frame through the medium ofappropriate supports generally indicated at 16; The

upper end of the housing iii is provided with a semi-circular hoodportion l1 containing a semicylindric'al horn element is, the arcuatesurface of which may be highly polished and over which the chain it isadapted to slide. The "end of chain M which is retained within thehousing l5 is secured to the upper end of a ccnnecti'ng'bar it freelyslidable within the housing; The bar 19 is adapted to be pulleddownwardly throu-gl'i the .mediumof'chain or cable connections 2%,cne'encl determined weight or total charge. When the scale is set intooperation the main charge is permitted to eterthe weigh bucket and. themain supply gate is closed on by the usual mechanisms for that purpose,then the dribble stream continues to flow into the weigh bucket untilthe total weight of a charge is almost reached when the dribble gate isclosed. The specific construction and operation of the main supply andthe dribble gateforms no part of thepresent invention, but i is clearlydescribed and illustrated in the "above referred to patent. At theinstant of closing the dribble gate thereis still a stream of materialin the air between the dribble gate and theweigh bucket which enters theweigh bucket .toccm plete the aggregate weight of the charge.

If the scale installati-c is new used to weigh of which is connected tothe bar and the other end of which is connected to a reel assemblygenerally indicated at El through the medium of a'conduit 2-IA. p r

The actuating assembly 21 includes a housing 22 having a front cover ordial plate 23 and a centrally disposed stud 24 having a flanged base 25a rigidly secured to the; rear walltherecf and projecting forwardlythrough the'middle of the dial plate 23. A reel. or drum' 25 aroundwhich 'the actuating chain or cable 28 is wound is mounted on the stud.2' 5 and is freely rotatable thereon. The reel 25 is adapted to berotated through the medium of an actuating handle 26 connected theretothrough the medium of pin connections 2'? andis freely rotatable on thestud 2:1. It should be noted that the forwardly "projecting end of thestud 24 is providedwith a threaded portion generally indicated at 28which is adapted to be engaged by a locking handle or a less densematerial but retaining the same scale adjustments, it will be apparentthat the weight ofthe' charge in theweigh' bucket will be the samelement 25:. Thus when the handle or locking element 25 is engaged on thethreadedend of the stud it will abutthe forward fa-ceof the actuatinghandle 25 and cause the handle of thereel 25 connected thereto to moverearwardly so that the rear face of the reel will be forced against theface of the flange 25a of the stud and will be retained thereagainstinlocke'd position.

' In order that the weight of that portion of the chain I4 which isretained within the housing l will not cause the chain to gravitatedownwardly within the housing and thus retract the chain therein, aspring motor 3| including a coil spring 32 is secured to the housing l5and the free end of the spring 32 is carried downwardly within thecasing l5 and is secured to the connecting bar l9. Thus it will beapparent that when the locking element 29 of the actuating assembly isreleased, the spring motor 3| be comes effective to raise the connectingbar I9, unreel actuating cable from the reel 25, and effect an upwardmovement of the chain l4 within the housing l5 and a projection of thechain from the hood portion l1 thereof, thus providing a pendant loop ofchain without the housing. It will also be apparent that as more. of thechain I4 is projected from the hood I! more links are dependably addedto the main counterweight l2 with the consequent increase of the weightthereon.

For convenience in determining the exact amount of projection orretraction of the links of the chain l4 from the hood [1, the plate 23of the reel assembly 2| may be provided with a plurality of indicia 33with which an indicator 34 carried by the actuating handle 26 is adaptedto register.

In Figs. 9 and of the drawings there is illustrated a modified form ofactuating assembly which may be employed with the compensating deviceabove described. This form of actuating device includes a generallyrectangular housing 35 which may be connected to the cable conduit 2IAin place of the reel assembly 2|. The hous- H ing 35 is adapted toslidably support a rack element 36 connected to the lower end of theactuating cable or chain and which carries an indicating finger 37extending through a slot generally indicated at 38 formed in one face ofthe housing 35. The indicator 31 is adapted to register with a pluralityof scale graduations indicated at 39. The rack is adapted to bereciprocated within the housing 35 through the medium of a pinion 40meshing therewith and fixed to a shaft 4| rotatably mounted on thehousing 35. An actuating handle 42 is secured to one end of the pinionshaft 4|. Thus as the actuating handle 42 is turned in one direction therack will be raised and consequently chain will be projected from thehood I! of the main chain housing l5, and when the wheel 42 is rotatedin the opposite direction the rack will be lowered and the chain l4 willbe retracted into the hood I! and the chain housing l5.

A modified form of compensator which employs positive actuatingconnections for increasing or decreasing the length of the pendant chainis illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings. In this particularstructure a sprocket chain 43 of the silent mesh type is carried by andover a sprocket gear 44 secured to one end of a shaft 45 journaled in agear housing generally indicated at 46. The inner end of the shaft 45projects into the gear housing and is provided with a bevelled gear 4'!rigidly secured thereto. The bevelled gear 41 meshes with acomplementary bevelled gear 48 rigidly secured. to a vertical shaft 49,the upper end of which is journaled in the housing 45 and the lower endof which is journaled in a lower gear housing 59 located at a positionconvenient to the operator. The gear housing 50 contains a bevelled gear5| rigidly secured to the lower end of the shaft 49 and a complementarymeshing bevelled gear 52 freely Lil rotatable on a flanged stud 53rigidly secured to the housing 50. Actuating and locking handles 54 and55 respectively are carried by the stud 53 and function in the samemanner as the handles 26 and 29 of the actuating mechanism previouslydescribed, to rotate the bevelled gears 5| and 52, the shaft 49, thebevelled gears 41 and 48 and consequently the sprocket gear 44. It willbe readily apparent that rotation of the sprocket gear 44 with the chain43 meshed therewith will efiect a lengthening or shortening of thependant loop of the chain 43. The free end of the chain 43 may beprovided with a weight 56 which serves to positively maintain the chainin engagement with the sprocket gear 44. A housing 51 may be provided toshield or cover the sprocket 44 and its associated chain. Thus thelengthening or shortening of the pendant loop of the chain 43 may bepositively effected through the medium of the above described gear andshaft connections.

A main control unit from which a plurality of compensating devices maybe actuated from a single operating station is illustrated in Figs. 13to 15 of the drawings. This control unit may be a fabricated panelassembly which. includes a control box generally indicated at 51 whichcomprises a rear wall portion 58 formed from sheet metal and a frontwall portion generally indicatedat 53 which is comprised of a pluralityof separated panel portions 60 maintained in spaced relation from a rearwall 58 through the medium of bolts GI .and spacer elements 62 disposedinter mediate said front and rear wall portions, The spaces between eachof the front panel sections 60 define slots 63 respectively adapted toreceive slide assemblies generally indicated at 64. Each slide assembly64 comprises male and female clamping elements 55 and 65, the maleelement 65 being disposed in back of the front wall 59 and the femaleelement being disposed in front of the male element 65. The male elementcarries a forwardly projecting stud 61 upon which is threadably engageda clamping or looking handle 68, the inner end of which is adapted toabut against the female clamping element 66 to thereby press the femaleelement 'rearwardly against the front face of the wall 59 and draw themale element forwardly against the rear face of the wall 59 to therebyreleasably secure the slide assembly in fixed position.

The upper end of the panel assembly generally indicated a 5 is adaptedto be closed through the medium of a longitudinally extending cap member69 secured thereto. The individual conduits am of the respectivecompensator devices with which the control panel is to be associatedhave their free ends secured to the cap member =39 and are disposed invertical alignment with the slide assemblies 64. The actuating chains 25which extend through the respective conduits 22a are thereby allowed todrop downwardly into the control panel and have their ends respectivelysecured to the respective slide assemblies t4 through the medium of setscrews 70.

Thus it is apparent that the scale units of a combined weighing, fillingand closing machine of the type generally illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4of the drawings may be adjusted from a point convenient to the operatorthrough the medium of a multiple unit control panel of the type abovedescribed. It is obvious that in order to effect the compensatingadjustments on the individual scales through the use of this controlpanel, it is only necessary to release the slide assemblies assemblies.

In Fig. 16 of the drawings there is illustrated a modified form; ofcompensating chain actuating device which may be used in place of thegear and shaft actuating connections illustrated in Figs;- 11 and 12. Inthis particular form the inner shoot the shaft 55" may be provided witha. second sprocket gear i3 with which is engaged an endless sprocketchain 24'. The other loop portion of the sprocket chain 14 may beengaged by a lower sprocket gear 15 located at a position convenient tothe operator. The sprocket gear 15 may carry an. indicatingrdial l6having a plurality of indicia l1 formed thereon which are adtnatcdv toregister with an; indicating finger i8 secured. to" the frame in anymanner desired.

Thus it will be seen that the herein described invention: pool/ides anovel compensating device for use onv automatic weighing'scales; inwhich the compensating adjustments are effective by control deviceslocated at a position convenientto the operator and remote from thescale; in which the compensating device includcs a chain having one enddependably fastened to'themain scale counterweight and means connectedto the ecades for supporting said chain in a pendant loop and forvarying the length of said pendant loop, said last named means includinga vertically disposed housing adapted to receive the end of said chainand. havingan arcuate supporting surface provided at the upper endthercofand over which said chain is adapted to ride, means carried bysaid. housing and connected with that end of the chain retained thereinfor lifting said chain and propelling a portion thereof from saidhousing to increase the length of said pendant loop, and actuatingdevices associated with said housing for controlling the position ofsaid chainunder the influence of said lifting means and for retracting aportion of said chain into said housing to dccrease the length of saidpendant chain.

3- In a weighing scale wherein is provided a frame, a weigh beamfulcrumcd on said frame,

a weigh bucket fulcrumed on one end of said weigh beam, and acounterweight pivotally carried by the other end of said weigh beam;means for varying the efiective weightof said counterweight andincluding a relatively long flexible weighing chain having one end.dopcndably;fastened to said counterweight, m ans carried by saidframefor. supporting saidchain ina pendant loop and for varying the lengthofsaid pendant loop, said last named means includin a Vertically disposedhousing adaptedto receive the end of said chain and having an arcuatesupporting surface provided at the upper end thereof and over which saidchain is adapted to ride, meanscarried by said. housing and connectedwith that end of the chain retained therein for lifting-said other endof the chain for varying the effective weight of the depending portionof the chain and which is si mple in design, rugged in'construction andeconomical to manufacture. a It is of course to be understood thatcertain details of arrangement and' proportions of parts may bevariously modified without exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a weighing scale wherein is provided a frame, a weigh beamfulcrumed on said frame, a weigh-bucket fulcrumed on one end of saidweigh beam, and a counterweight pivotally carried by'thc other end ofsaid weigh beam; means for varying the effective weight of saidcounterweight and cluding a relatively long flexible weighing elementhaving one end dependably fastened to said counterweight, means carriedby saidv frame for supporting said flexible element in a pendant loopand for varying the length of said pendant loop, said last named meansincluding a vertically disposed housing adapted to receive the end ofsaid flexible element and hav ing an arcuate supporting surface providedat the upper end thereof'and over which said flex ible element isadaptedto ride, and actuating devices associated with said housing foradjusting the position of that end of the flexible element retainedtherein to thereby effect a change in length of said pendant loop.

7 2. In a weighing scale wherein is provided a frame, a weigh beamfulcrumed on said frame, a weigh bucket fulcrumed on one end of saidweigh beam, and a counterweight pivotally carried by the other end ofsaid weigh beam; means for varying the effective weight of saidcounterweight chain and propelling a portion thereof from said housingto increase the length of said pendant loop, and actuating devicesassociated with said housing for controlling the position of said chainunder the influence of said li ting means and and including a'relativelylong flexible weighing chain having one end dependably fastened to saidcounterweight, means carried by said frame for retracting a portion ofsaid chain into-said housing to decrease the length of said pendantchain, said actuating devices comprising a real housing secured to saidframe and co-nnected to said chain housing through the medium of aconduit, a reel rotatably mounted within said re housing, fiexiblcconnecting means joining said chain and. said reel through said conduit,means for rotating said reel. V

4, In a weighing scale wherein is provided a frame, a weigh beamfulcrumed onsaid frame, a weigh bucket fulcrumedon one end of said weighbeam, and a counterweight pivotally carried by the other end of saidweigh beam; means for varying the effective weight of said counterweightand including a relatively long flexible weighing chain having one enddependably fastoned to said counterweight, means carried by said framefor supporting said chain in a pendant loop and for varying the lengthof said pendant loop, said last named means including a verti callydisposed housing adapted to receive the endof said. chain and having anarcuate supporting surface provided at the upper endthereof and overwhich said chain is adapted to ride, means carried by said housing andconnected with'that end of the. chain retained therein for lifting saidchain and propelling a portion there of from said housing to increasethe length of connected to said chain housing through the medium of aconduit, a reel rotatably mounted within said reel housing, flexibleconnecting means joining said chain and said reel through said conduit,means for rotating said reel, and means to lock said reel in fixedposition.

5. In a weighing scale wherein is provided a frame, a weigh beamfulcrumed on said frame, a weigh bucket fulcrumed on one end of saidweigh beam, and a counterweight pivotaliy carried by the other end ofsaid weigh beam; means for varying the effective weight of saidcounterweight and including a relatively long flexible weighing chainhaving one end dependably fastened to said counterweight, means carriedby said frame for supporting said chain in a pendant loop and forvarying the length of said pendant loop, said last named means includinga vertically disposed housing adapted to receive the end of said chainand having an arcuate supporting surface provided at the upper endthereof and over which said chain is adapted to ride, means carried bysaid housing and connected with that end of the chain retained thereinfor lifting said chain and propelling a portion thereof from saidhousing to increase the length of said pendant loop, and actuatingdevices associated with said housing for controlling the position ofsaid chain under the influence of said lifting means and for retractinga portion of said chain into said housing to decrease the length of saidpendant chain, said actuating devices comprising a reel housing securedto said frame at a position remote from said counterweight and connectedto said chain housing through the medium of a conduit, a reel rotatablymounted within said reel housing, flexible connecting means joining saidchain and said reel through said conduit, and means for rotating saidreel.

6. In a Weighing scale wherein is provided a frame, a weigh beamfulcrumed on said frame, a weigh bucket fulcrumed on one end of saidweigh beam, and a counterweight pivotally carried by the other end ofsaid weigh beam; means for varying the effective weight of saidcounterweight and including a relatively long flexible weighing chainhaving one end dependably fastened to said counterweight, means carriedby said frame for supporting said chain in a pendant loop and forvarying the length of said pendant loop, said last named means includinga ver tically disposed housing adapted to receive the end of said chainand having an arcuate supporting surface provided at the upper endthereof and over which said chain is adapted to ride,

means carried by said housing and connected with that end of the chainretained therein for lifting said chain and propelling a portion thereoffrom said housing to increase the length of said pendant loop, andactuating devices associated with said housing for controlling theposition of said chain under the influence of said lifting means and forretracting a portion of said chain into said housing to decrease thelength of said pendant chain, said actuating devices comprising a slidehousing secured to said frame and connected to said chain housingthrough the medium of a conduit, a slide member slidably mounted withinsaid slide housing, flexible connecting means joining said chain andsaid slide member through said conduit, and means for reciprocating saidslide.

7. In a weighing scale wherein is provided a frame, a weigh beamfulcrumed on said frame, a weigh bucket fulcrumed on one end of saidweigh beam, and a counterweight pivotaliy carried by the other end ofsaid weigh beam; means for varying the effective weight of saidcounterweight and including a relatively long flexible weighingchainhaving one end dependably fastened to said counterweight, meanscarried by said frame for supporting said chain in a pendant loop andfor varying the length of said pendant loop, said last named meansincluding a vertically disposed housing adapted ot receive the end ofsaid chain and having an arcuate supporting surface provided at theupper end thereof and over which said chain is adapted to ride, meanscarried by said housing and connected with that end of the chainretained therein for lifting said chain and propelling a portion thereoffrom said housing to increase the length of said pendant loop, andactuating devices associated with said housing for controlling theposition of said chain under the influence of said lifting means and forretracting a portion of said chain into said housing to decrease thelength of saidpendant chain, said actuating devices comprising a slidehousing secured to said frame and connected to said chain housingthrough the medium of a conduit, a slide member slidably mounted withinsaid slide housing, flexible connecting means joining said chain andsaid slide member through said conduit, and means including rack andpinion connections for reciprocating said slide.

8. In a weighing scale wherein is provided a frame, a weigh beamfulcrumed on said frame, a weigh bucket fulcrumed on one end of saidweigh beam, and a counterweight pivotally carried by the other end ofsaid weigh beam; means for varying the effective weight of saidcounterweight and including a relatively long flexible weighing chainhaving one end dependably fastened to said counterweight, means carriedby said frame for supporting said chain in a pendant loop and forvarying the length of said pendant loop, said last named means includinga vertically disposed housing adapted to receive the end of said chainand having an arcuate supporting surface provided at the upper endthereof and over which said chain is adapted ot ride, means carried bysaid housing and connected with that end of the chain retained thereinfor lifting said chain and propelling a portion thereof from saidhousing to increase the length of said pendant loop, and actuatingdevices associated with said housing for controlling the position ofsaid chain under the influence of said lifting means and for retractinga portion of said chain into said housing to decrease the length of saidpendant chain, said actuating devices comprising a slide housing securedto said fram and connected to said chain housing through the medium of aconduit, said housing being provided with a longitudinally disposedslot, scale gradua tions disposed adjacent said slot, a slide memberslidably mounted within said slide housing, an indicating finger carriedby said slide and projecting through the slot formed in said housingdisposed in cooperative relation to said scale graduations, flexibleconnecting means joining said chain and said slide member through saidconduit, means for reciprocating said slide.

9. In a weighing scale wherein is provided a frame, a weigh beamiulcrumed on said frame, a weigh bucket fulcrumed on one end of i saidweigh beam, and a counterweight pivotaliy carried by the other end ofsaid weigh beam; means for varying the effective weight of saidcounterweight and including a relatively lo'ng flexible weighing chainhaving, one'lend;depei1d-. ably fastened to SaiQMCOHIIlJEIWGiQht, meanscar weighing chain having one end depe'ndahly fas= ried by said framefor supporting: saidchain in V sociated with said housing forc0ntrol1ing the position of said chain undenthe influence of "Saidlifting means and for retracting a'pcrticnmt said, chain into saidhousing todecrease the length of said pendant'chain, said actuating'd'e'e vices comprising a slide housing securedto said frarr'ie andconnected to said chain housing through the-medium of a conduit; saidhousing being provided with a longitudinally disho'sed' slot, scale'gr'aduations disposed adjacent. said slot, a slide memberslidablyr-mounted within said slide housing, an indicating slide andprojecting through the slot formdin said housing disposed in cooperativerelation to said sc'ale graduatio'ns, flexible connecting. means joiningsaid chain and said slide memberrth'rou'gh s'aid conduit', "and meansincluding rack and pini'on' connections for reciprocating said slide;

'10. In a weighing scale wherein is provided a frame,awei'gh beamfulcrumed jcnis'aid frame; a weigh-bucket'fulcruined one end of saidWeighbea 1:, and a counterweight pivotaliy carriediby the-other end-cfsaid weigh beam; means for varying the efiectiveweight of said counter-Weight and including; a relatively long. flexible Weighing chain havingone end 'dependahl-y fastn'ed to said c'c a'un't'erwe ight, in

mg said ch'ai'n ma pen housing adapted'to rceiire the other end 'oisai'dchain and hailing a sprocket g'earengageahie with said chainandjourhaled adjacent the wee p'e'r end: thereof, and means forimpartingma movement of; rotation vvtosaiti sprocket gear tother'ehy-iiropel the chain from said housing. or to retract the chain"into said housing and varyithe length of the 'pen'da'nt loop thereof. 1

ll. In a'weighing scale wherein is. provided'a a weigh bucketfulcrum'e'd'on one ."end icfisaid weigh beam-and .a counterweightpivota'liy car ried bythe other Iendof said weigh 'beam'; means forvarying'the'efiective Weight of said. counter- Weight and including arelatively long "flexible finger carried by. said eans iorsupnortd'antloopand 1 for Vary, ing the length oi wsaid pendant loop, said last,named means including a vertically disposed housingadaptedto receivechain and: a g. a s cket neaeeabie tionsin-fixed position. i V

tened to saidcounterweight, means for support": ing said chain in apendant loop arid for vary= ing :the lengthr-of said pendant". 1001 saidlast named means including a vertically disposed housing adapted toreceive the other end: of said. chair: and having a sprocket geariengageable with saidchain andijoumailed' a'diaeentx the upperehdthereof; and Means io'r positively iin= parting a movement orrotation to said sprocket gear to. thereby propeLthe'; chaih'frlom saidhous ingor to retract the chain into said housing. and

vary. the length of the pendant lo'opthereoir 7 12. In eighing scale.wherein is provided a frame a' Weigh beam iulcrumed on said jframe; aWeigh bucket iulcrurned on one end of said 'Weigh beam; and acounterweight pivotally car ried by the other end, of said weigh beam;means for, Varying the e-fiective weight of said counter weight andincluding a relatively. long flexible weighing chain having one'enddependabi-y'fas tened; to said counterweight; means for supper? ing saidchainina pendant loop and for Var":

'ing the length of said pendant Icon, saidiast named means including avertically disposed housing adapted toreceivethe other endgef saidchainandhaving a snrocketgear engagealoie with said chain andjournalle'd adjacent the upher'ehd thereof, and means comprising gearand ;-shaitconnection-s exit riding fro niti e, operator's sta tion tosaidsprock'et gear for hositivelyimpaitingamoyement of rotation tosaidsprocket-gear to thereby propel the chainiifoni housing or t'o retractthe chain into said housingand vary the length ofthe pendant l'o'opthereof:

u 13-. in a; weighing scale wherein is o ovide'd a frameha ,Weigh heamiulcr nned on said frame,

' a Weigh bucket iulerun gedi on one end of i said weigh beam; and'acounterweight pivotal-1y carr ed t y-the t ers o id as; means for varyint tive weight of said counte i q 7 d ncluding a :relatiyeiy ioreggfiexi-ble Weighin Lain havingone end dependab g-iae tened to saidcounterweight; neansiorysu pporc me sa d chai e nda ta o fl w y ing. thelength of I said pe nd ant ,loop, :said -last nam d-J meacs in ud n a.-veiticai-ly d sea ed theother end 'of 7 said wi h sa dcha nad i r l daeia t the upifecf ind shaft; connections exiorr 'e stat-ion remotejromeoum ten ng erw ieh tosaio s me teea o r i i in:

parting a moyeijnent of rotation to sprocket ear tooth fQby DQ1 h fib -HFZQ T i Q J ingor to ;1'e t;i t the chai "ito saidhousing angd means forloqlcingzsaid ge r ai'rd shaft connec-

